Just under half of charity leaders have admitted they had been considering their future in the sector, as a result of the increased pressures on their mental health and emotional wellbeing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among those surveyed 44% said that the pressures associated with the crisis had made them consider leaving.

The details have emerged in charity insurer Ecclesiastical’s Charity Risk Barometer.

“The charity sector is facing a potential leadership crisis,” said the insurer.

Staff burnout and service delivery reductions are among key worries for charity leaders.

Two thirds are worried about the impact of staff burnout on their charity, while 36 % are also concerned that they may not be able provide vital support to beneficiaries.

More than eight out of ten (81%) of respondents said that it had already become difficult to meet the needs of service users amid the pandemic.

Ecclesiastical also found that 44% of charities have experienced an increase in mental health concerns from January to March this year.

More than half of charities (52%) are calling on the government to do more to provide mental health support.

The survey involved 450 charity leaders and took place between April 22 and May 7.

Earlier this year Charity Times published its list of the Top 10 emotional support groups for charity leaders. A drop in income and overseeing redundancies amid the pandemic are among other pressures, charity leaders are facing.

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